Live Event Community, an organization formed to support Canadian live event workers who’ve lost their livelihoods due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, has organized a Day of Visibility on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020.
One hour after sundown from coast-to-coast, hundreds of venues and buildings will light their exteriors red to raise awareness for an industry that is still dark – and will be one of the last to recover. Throughout the evening, images and video will be shared across social media using the hashtags #LightUpLive / EclaironsLesScenes to boost visibility.
We are just over a week away from the Day of Visibility for the Live Event Community on Tuesday22 September, an unprecedented and united show of support for the live event industries in Canada.
Live events span many industries, including music and the arts, corporate meetings and conventions, sports, and heritage.
Over one million Canadians work in these industries.
Well – they did, until the global threat of COVID-19 closed theatres and cancelled large gatherings earlier this year.
We want to ensure that these event professionals continue to have access to government support until events can safely return.
There is no one better to launch our Live Event Community Stories video series than Tony Crea. He started the T.I.N cup busking fundraiser weekly outside of Long & McQuade at Bloor & Ossington in to raise funds for “techs in need”.
“There are thousands of technicians across this country” who are out of work, says Tony. An industry veteran of 40 years, Tony has worked with many of them.
Check out how you can be featured and help tell our story!
As of today, the ​Day of Visibility for the Live Event Community has an event hashtag all their own. Event organizers are asking venues and landmarks across the country to light up their buildings and marquees in red on Tuesday 22 September to raise awareness for an industry that remains dark.
Early response has been overwhelming. Organizations, grassroots groups and individuals are coming together to ask and assist with illuminating landmarks in red, bringing to light the many performers, creators, technical, logistical, and management support personnel who drive a $100 billion Canadian economic engine.
The selected hashtag #LightUpLive #EclaironsLesScenes draws attention to locations that have been primarily dark for over six months due to social distancing restrictions. Live event workers are encouraged to participate using social media, and participating venues and installations can be tracked on an interactive map at the event website (​https://lightuplive.ca​).
“This grassroots movement has seemed to catch fire,” says Morgan Myler, co-founder of the ​Live Event Community group, which formed in March as a result of the cancellation of events worldwide due to COVID-19. “We started with a resource guide for workers to access critical health, financial and training opportunities when COVID-19 hit.”
I’m always impressed to see how quickly the event industry can respond
Rob D
According to Statistics Canada , the arts, entertainment and recreation sector lost 152,000 of 486,100 jobs between June 2019 and June 2020, and 86% of businesses experienced a high level of impact due to the decrease in demand or cancellation of services . Those that are still employed have seen a 45% reduction in hours worked​ . The corporate and business events sector directly employs an additional 229,000 Canadians according to a 2017 Oxford Economics3 study.
“I’m always impressed to see how quickly the event industry can respond,” says co-founder Rob Duncan “but considering how quickly the work stopped, people are really looking to do something, however symbolic it may be.”
The ​Day of Visibility for the Live Event Community will run Tuesday 22 September from an hour after sundown, coast to coast. Follow along at ​https://lightuplive.ca​. Live event workers looking for resources can visit ​https://liveeventcommunity.org
I had my first gig in 160 days. The amount of joy I got from one day of working my dream job again and almost feeling like things were back to normal is too much to put into words. I’m so grateful for such a treat. The next couple days are going to be hard though. Knowing that this isn’t going to happen again tomorrow or even for the foreseeable future is beyond heartbreaking. Trying to just sit with the pleasures of today.
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) has been extended to a total of 28 weeks (from the original 26 weeks). This will extend the original CERB payments to 27 September 2020.
Beginning 27 September anyone who qualifies for EI will be migrated to this program, and anyone else can apply for the newly announced Canada Recovery Benefit.
*NEW* Canadian Recovery Benefit
CRB starts 27 September 2020 for people who don’t qualify for EI (freelancers)
This program will offer $400 a week for 26 weeks.
You can claim income but your benefit will be reduced by $0.50 for each $1 earned.
Employment Insurance Program
With the revised EI program, you will receive 55% of your former income up to $573/week, but the floor (minimum payment) has been raised to $400.
You will qualify for between 26 and 45 weeks depending on the worked hours you have banked. You have to have worked 120 hours to qualify for this year.
You must claim outside income earned, but your benefit will be reduced by $0.50 for every $1 earned.
Canada Recovery Care-giving Benefit
$550 for week per household caregiving benefit up to 26 weeks.
Canadian Recovery Sickness Benefit
Also you can be eligible for $500 weekly for up to two weeks for those who don’t have paid sick leave or if you become sick or if you need to isolate for reasons linked to COVID-19
The Day of Visibility for the Live Event Community is now TUESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER beginning an hour after sundown.
Why the change?
We want to ensure that everyone can participate, and our previous date is Rosh Hashanah, a celebration of the Jewish New Year.
Traditionally, theatres are dark on Monday, allowing everyone involved a day off. We will light the night RED on Tuesday, a night that would normally bring bright marquees and lit stages.
We support an amazing variety of industries and possess a remarkable collection of skills. We are coming together to showcase the magnificent scope of live events, and the people who create them.
We need your help to shine a light on the tens of thousands of live event workers who are in the wings while theatres, convention halls and arenas remain dark.
My name is Jamie Shear resident of Ajax Ontario.As we move through these very complex times I want thank the government for the Cerb funds to help us get through at least a bit better financially.
I, like others are in the the performing arts industry and although the Ontario government is opening up more stages to get the economy moving our industry is still in crisis as we are very much in the dark of when we are able to get back some normal performing to audiences more than the set aloud in an indoor venue
At present the performing arts theaters have closed their doors until 2021 to restructure their venues into a safe environment and to bring back the confidence of clients who looked forward to going out once a week to see a show.
I myself a guitar player musical producer and director do have suggestions for the theater managers and promoters to get back on track. The summer Drive Inn concept although very good is very seasonal and when the weather turns we have to be ready for the the alternative. We need to allow more occupants in these venues socially distanced of course to comply with the venues and the promoters needs financially by way of two shows a day with the cooperation of the artists performing 2 shows a day for the price of one. Each show would be half capacity with no intermissions but we need to have the government allow more people per show.
While this may be up for discussion I have taken on some part time efforts to try and balance myself money wise but it is still not enough to sustain a living so I would hope that the government recognizes this instability with the performing arts community and continues to honor the Cerb benefits for those who need it most.
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![[PDF] September 1 Press Release](https://liveeventcommunity.org/wp-content/uploads/Press-release-Sep-1.jpg){kind=link}